Solar shading

A proven solution for overheating homes

As UK summers get hotter, the issue of overheating in modern housing is becoming harder to ignore.

Recent reports highlight residents in some new-build flats warning potential buyers to stay away due to unbearable indoor temperatures. One of the most effective but underused solutions for overheating is solar shading, both internally and externally.

External shutters, blinds and awnings have long been commonplace in continental Europe, where inward-opening windows are the norm.

These systems prevent the sun’s heat from entering the building in the first place, reducing reliance on energy-intensive cooling and making them particularly effective at preventing overheating.

It all means a more comfortable property, lower energy bills and potentially a boost to property value.

However, in the UK, most homes have outward-opening windows, making external blinds and shutters harder to fit. Without replacing windows, awnings or canopies offer an excellent alternative and can even be automated for optimal shading.

Internal shading options have also advanced. Roller blinds with side channels, honeycomb fabrics with insulating air pockets and high-tech coatings can all reduce glare, retain winter warmth and cut summer heat.

Research by the BBSA (British Blind and Shutter Association) shows external shading can reduce feels-like temperatures by 10-18°c, with internal shading achieving 8-13°c reductions.

One challenge is that double glazing, while vital for winter heat retention, can trap unwanted warmth in summer. Solar shading tackles this directly, acting like a thermostat for your windows.

In an age of rising energy costs, moveable shading is a sustainable, cost-effective way to keep homes cooler without resorting to air conditioning – restoring an age-old solution to a very modern problem.

For more information, contact your local BBSA member. Find members at www.bbsa.org.uk/members-search.